One episode into the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and Laila McQueen (or Tyler Devlin) is already a firm fan favourite. Not that it is difficult to see why.
First of all, tell me about the person behind Laila. Who are you?
Well in total honesty the person behind Laila is Tyler, and incredibly anxious and timid boy who always wanted bigger things and to be one sort of rockstar!
You are an incredibly gifted artist! Have you always been a creative person?
Well thank you for that!! My parents tried to get me to play sports when I was a kid and I always ended up in the back of the field spacing out and paying attention to virtually everything else besides the game. So once I showed any sort of glimpse of artistic ability they hit it and quit it with the sports and put me into every single art class they could possibly sign me up for. So yes, to make a long answer short I have always been artsy and creative!
How long have you been doing drag as Laila?
I got the name Laila when I was about 17? So let’s say about 7 years I’ve been doing drag total, minus one or two years being a nameless mess.
What are your favourite/least favourite parts of doing drag?
I love putting on makeup and getting together in a look, and I love getting to take it all off at the end of the night, that's the best part of drag. I've always loved the makeup process and the look of drag. My absolute least favorite, quite possibly what I hate the most about drag is having to shave. It's a total nightmare, and it only gets worse with each shave.
What are some of your favourite songs to perform?
'Tainted Love' by Marilyn Manson, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen - those are my go to songs but I have done so many from both artists- I’ve done all of Mechanical Animals, and all of both of their greatest hits. I do a lot of 80’s pop garbage too. I’m very dated, not too much top 40’s
How do comparisons to past Drag Race alumni make you feel?
Its the nature of the beast, everyone always feels they have to compare others constantly and its is what it is, It doesn’t affect who I am one bit. I Just wish my bank account was comparable to past drag race alumni!
Who are some of your favourite queens currently?
Favorite queens in general, there’s a whole bunch! Raja, Detox, Jackie Beat, Katya, Fena Barbitall, basically the entire cast of season 8, Aquaria, Didi Maquiaveli, Rubber Child, Divine (RIP).
Laila’s beat is flawless – what are some of your go to makeup products?
My all-time favorite go to “product” for my makeup (couldn’t achieve my look without it) has got to be hands down my glowing youthful skin. I LOVE makeup and love using all the products, I love trying new things and I love using all sorts of different brushes and products, but MAC is always a strong basic for virtually anything!
Who are your inspirations?
Marilyn Manson, Freddie Mercury, Candy Darling, Divine, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Beetlejuice (A lot of movies serve as big inspiration to me as well)
What's next for Laila?
What isn’t next? This is such a huge platform and I intend to ride the wave and take it as far as it’ll get me. I would love to ultimately expand on my career with makeup and my art outside of drag as well as keep a regular gig doing performances. I would love to be in galleries, do some more weird, less commercial art and also start to embark on the world of special effects makeup!
Do you have plans to come to the UK?
I would LOVE to come to the UK!! I'll be there July 28-31 actually!
Buy tickets to see Laila McQueen and Bob the Drag Queen on their UK tour for Holy Trannity in July here.
Photography all credit to ERIC RICHARD MAGNUSSEN.
Photography all credit to ERIC RICHARD MAGNUSSEN.
